The Opelousas courier., 1887-11-05

A strange feeling crept into my
heart; o doubt of the wisdom OF my
own proceedings a fear of which I
was even then heartily ashamed.
We hew@onward, and DR.. Thorpe
grew quite confidential.
81 don't mind telling you, Ethel"
he said, as we drove along over o road
which gradually grew more steep and
rocky, and bore witness to his testi-
mony of ga fearful drive" IT don't
mind confessing to you that I'm done
for at last. And what do you think.
| cousin IL was not his cousin, but /
thought best to make no demur, 81
have fallen in laGraover head and
heels, with a picture. A photograph,
Ethel; one which I have boldly and
maliciously ~purloined from its owner,
who is a neal relative of the fair origi.
nal. Wish me success in my wooing:
For, although I have never met her, l
have sworn to win her some day, II 10
lies within human power"
IT wish you success, I am sure /
ventured.
Let me show you the picture" he
went on persaasively. 81 know I'm q
wretch to steal it, but the good old
lady who owns it will never miss IT.,
and l. Here it is"
Aud the audacious fellow drew O card
photograph from his vest pocket, the
one right over his heart, too, and,
lighting a wax taper which he produc-
ed from some unknown region, held
the photograph up before my eyes.
Fancy my CONSERVATION to find that
it was a photograph of my own. face.
/ uttered a cry. He turned the ia.
per's light full upon me; theu a wild
ejaculation passed his lips.
Good heavens! What an egregious
fool ! am, to be sure! / came to the
station to meet my cousin, Ethel
Thorpe, and you-and-you-"
Are Ethel Thurston," I faltered.
"My mother is very i'll at Dr.. Thorpe's
house, near Cranstown. Ibid not know
there was another DR.. Thorpe"
+" am DR.. Edgar Thorpe, his neph-
ew, cried the young physician eagerly.
land then I perceived by the light OF
the Pickering taper how handsome
he was, and not q day over thifty.)
"And you left the train at East Grams,
towp,'h he went on regretfnlly, full
twenty miles from Uncle Edwards Z
thought you were my cousin Ethel
Mrs. Ethel Thorpe-whose little child
is slightly i'll at my mothers. 1t was
so awfully dark there at the station
Cousin Ethel insisted upon coming oyel
from the city, though ! assured her
that nothing was wrong with Daisy
save a slight cold, and the little one il
alright now. But, by Jove! Miss
Thurston, this is too bad Will you
ever forgive me for my blunder? You
see your telegram was delivered to mt
at my Office instead of Uncle Edwards
Your initials are the same as my cou
sin's-even your first name is the same
Quite o coincidence" he added, in q
tone which brought the blood TO my
cheeks.
There was no help for ii but to drive
those twenty miles. Shall / ever for
get that drive!
One thing is certain Long before
its close, Edgar Thorpe and ! felt thai
we had known each other for years
only nc further reference was made BY
my escort to the card photograph which
/ held tightly clasped In my hand.
At a very late hour we drovR up be.
fore a handsome cottage, WITH light.
cleaning family through the daskanq
u little later we were sanding in a coy
drawing room, While DIR. Thorpe TOLD
the story to hiskauHt, a faced
motheriy old Ndy, who listened ani
Laughed so hsRrtily that I knew with
put asking aAuestion that mother wa:
better. AID SO she was.
Il She soon recovered her health Ell,
tirely, but / did not return to the city
and the work which there awaited me
For Mr.. Renshawe kindly proposed
that ] take a long vacation, aud recu,
perate among the great purple noun
tains.
found it SO delightful there tina,
the thought of going away was untoi.
durable. And when Edgar Thorpe
begged me to remain forever as his
wife / did not hesitate. So he Won
the original of the picture, and | be
came Ethel Thorpe indeed. And we
have enjoyed many q hearty laugh
over that strange coincidence aud DR.,
Thorpe's odd mistake.
&@